How I Built a Complex ReactJS Project in Just One Week with ChatGPT’s Assistance

For years, I’ve been wary of AI's potential to replace developers. The rise of AI technologies has sparked both excitement and concern in the tech community. I remember when the Devon AI developer hit the internet and caused quite a stir there was genuine fear that AI might make human developers obsolete. Yet, here we are, continuing to code and innovate.

Despite these anxieties, I’ve slowly warmed up to AI tools. They’ve become a part of my development toolkit, though I’ve always approached them with cautious curiosity. Recently, however, I had an opportunity to put this technology to a real test and the results were nothing short of remarkable.

A friend referred me to a client who needed a complex project involving e-commerce, booking systems, video playlists, and a freemium versus premium product model. For any developer, the complexity of such a REST API is daunting. But I decided to take it on as a personal challenge.

I chose ReactJS for its simplicity and its ability to create reusable components, which made it an ideal fit for the project. The real game-changer, however, was the collaboration between ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot. Here’s a look at how this partnership helped me complete the project in just nine days, despite some initial challenges.

The Project Scope

The project was multifaceted, requiring:

• E-commerce functionality for product sales.
• Booking systems for scheduling.
• Video playlists for media management.
• Freemium and premium product tiers.

Each of these features demanded a robust and scalable backend, along with a sleek and functional frontend. The REST API needed to be intricate, managing multiple data types and user interactions.

How ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot Helped

1. Designing the UI and Styles: I used ChatGPT to brainstorm and design the user interface. From creating initial wireframes to selecting color schemes and layout ideas, ChatGPT provided valuable suggestions that helped streamline the design process. It felt like having a design assistant who could quickly generate and refine ideas.

2. Backend Code Assistance: The backend logic was complex, involving numerous integrations and functionalities. ChatGPT was instrumental in generating and reviewing code snippets, suggesting improvements, and debugging issues. For instance, I faced a significant hurdle with context and provider handling, which took me nearly two days to resolve. ChatGPT’s guidance was crucial in identifying and fixing the bug, allowing me to move forward.

3. Pair Programming with GitHub Copilot: GitHub Copilot acted as my coding partner, suggesting code completions and helping me navigate through ReactJS specifics. While it did make a few errors, it significantly sped up the development process by reducing the time spent on boilerplate code and repetitive tasks.

Overcoming Challenges

Despite the support from AI, the project was not without its challenges. The bug with context and provider management was a major obstacle, consuming valuable time. However, the dual collaboration of ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot proved to be a powerful combination. With their help, I was able to identify and resolve issues more efficiently than I might have been able to alone.

Lessons Learned

1. AI as a Co-Pilot: While AI tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot are incredibly powerful, they are not a replacement for human developers. Instead, they act as co-pilots, assisting with various aspects of development and allowing developers to focus on more complex tasks. I found that giving AI tools steering control while I acted as a co-pilot enabled me to leverage their strengths effectively.

2. The Art of Prompting: One key takeaway from this experience is the importance of crafting good prompts. ChatGPT’s responses are only as good as the questions you ask. Learning how to frame prompts effectively is as crucial as understanding programming fundamentals. A poorly constructed prompt can lead to subpar feedback, so honing this skill is essential for getting the most out of AI tools.

Observation

The integration of AI tools into the development process has proven to be a game-changer. Completing a complex ReactJS project in just nine days, with substantial help from ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot, has shown me the immense potential of AI in accelerating development and enhancing productivity.

While there are still many areas where human ingenuity and expertise are irreplaceable, AI tools have become indispensable allies in the modern developer’s toolkit. Embracing this technology and learning to use it effectively can transform how we approach development, making challenging projects more manageable and allowing us to focus on creativity and problem-solving.

So, while AI might not be replacing developers anytime soon, it certainly is changing the way we work. And with tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot, the future of development looks brighter than ever.